Hey lovely bloggies 
Hope you’ve had a wonderful day. So glad ya’ll enjoyed the picture of little Gina and my mom’s awesome 80s hair I’m very lucky to have many incredible madres in my life <3
Today has been spent pack-a-lackin.
As always, I made a list:
and got started on that biznazz.
That’s about half of it… 
The pilot: “Where are you going to put all of that stuff?!”
Me: “8 days is a LONG time, mmm k?”
Pack snack:
Millet with this RIDICULOUS strawberry Meyer lemon jam that the famous Beth T sent me.
No words.
I’ve been eating fake jam for way too long… and I’m never going back. Peace out, Polaner.
I also have to show ya’ll the shirt she sent me:
(I did a workout plan for her)
It’s taken over as the cutest workout shirt that I own Lurve.
Today, I also did my second attempt at homemade Clif bars.
They’re not perfect, but I’m going to go ahead and give ya’ll the recipe as it stands right now. Expect some tweaks when I get back from vacay.
Chocolate Chip Fit Bars
Ingredients
- 2 C oats
- 2 C puffed brown rice cereal of choice (I used Koala Crisps)
- 1/2 C vanilla or chocolate protein of choice (I used Vega)
- 1 T cinnamon
- 2 T coconut
- 1 T hemp seeds
- 1/2 t salt
- 1/2 dark chocolate bar of choice, cut into chunks with a knife
- 1 T ground flax
- 1/2 C sucanat (or unrefined brown sugar of choice)
- 1/2 C Earth Balance
- 2 t vanilla
- 4 oz unsweetened applesauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, add the 1 T flax to 3 T water and let soak.
Combine the oats, cereal, protein, cinnamon, coconut, hemp, sea salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the chocolate chunks.
In a saucepan on medium low, add the Earth Balance and stir until melted. Add the Sucanat and vanilla, mix well.
Add the butter/sugar mixture to the dry ingredients and stir to combine- do not overmix.
Add in the applesauce and the flax mixture.
Spray a baking pan (9×13) with nonstick spray and evenly spread the bar mixture into the pan.
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, and your house smells like heaven
Allow to cool, cut into 8 hefty pieces, and wrap with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container.
For 8 bars:
Cals: 336 Fat: 15g (I’d like to get this down a little) Carbs: 40g Sugar: 6.8g Fiber: 4.2g Protein: 9.4g
© 2010 The Fitnessista
The pilot and I shared one, and while they’re kinda crumbly, the taste is pretty amazing. I’ll update this page when I tweak the texture a little bit.
Well I’m off to make some dinner, but I hope ya’ll have a great night <3
See ya in the morning with some awesome Fitnessista shirts for charity.
Peeeeeace,
G
Something to talk about: What was the best vacation you’ve been on?? I have a feeling that our Bahama trip will take the cake, but up until now, my favorite trip was to New York last spring. We had such a blasty
Hi, I'm Gina. Welcome to The Fitnessista! I love blogging about my adventures as a new mom, military wife and fitness instructor, as well as sharing new workouts and recipes. Check out the About page for more info - thanks for stopping by!
she’s makin a list and checkin it twice… lol…
anytime u have to pack ur bikini u know ur going somewhere AMAZING! hehe <3 xoxo
Thanks for answering my questions! the post is up! have a great trip
Katherine
That t-shirt is so adorable!
Best vacations, I can’t just pick one. Our wedding in Italy, trip to Nicaragua and Paris and Barcelona.
Better safe than sorry with the packin’!!
Thanks for the recipeeee, Lady!!!
We went to Cabo for New Year’s two years ago. It was all inclusive and so fun to just relax and enjoy.
ours is all-inclusive, too! i’m so stoked that we won’t need to pay for meals and drinks while we’re there
I love the downward dog Lucy Tee. Olive always does downward dog in the morning but I am never fast enough to snap a picture of it.
I can’t pick one favorite vacay- Italy, Greece, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico all take the cake though.
I’m sure you and the Pilot are going to have a blast!
haha i aways try to take a pic of bella doing it, too. and miss it EVERY TIME. one day!!
xoxo
My Mediterranean honeymoon cruise to Greece, Croatia, and Venice! The best part was riding a Vespa with my hubby through the Croatian countryside.
that sounds like HEAVEN
yep, my dachshund Basil is a yoga dog and I try to get a photo each time he’s stretchin’… always miss!
so I have a ton of photos of him smiling up at me, wagging!
I’m going to try your bar recipe tomorrow! I’ve been working on one of my own for a couple weeks… (there’s a local coffee-shop oat bar that I am trying to remake).
Happy Vacation !
The bars look awesome
Have a safe trip!
Hmmm what is this strategically placed pen?? haha
haha i was wondering if someone would notice that
…i was wondering the same exact thing as i was reading your list.
also…one more question. what can you substitute for hemp seeds in the recipe? i don’t think i can find those in “nowheresville,” where i currently reside.
i’d do a T of chopped nuts instead (like almonds) for the same texture
i am SO jealous of y’alls trip! the best vacay i’ve been on was last year when we took a trip through the US and British virgin islands. HOLY HEAVEN! i would move there in a heartbeat if i could…and i have a feeling y’all will say the same thing about the bahamas
Love the list! Don’t forget moisturizer!!! I don’t see it on your list!
Have so much fun on your trip weeeeeeee!
thanks girl- you always remind me of stuff that i forget!! thank youuuu!! xoxo
Making a list always helps me pack, especially when you can pair outfits and see what goes together.
Love that t-shirt! So darn cute:)
Hey Gina would kamut or millet puffs cereal work (the nature’s path brand)?
i definitely think so!
Hi Gina!
Hope you have a great holiday. I was just wondering if you can recommend any leg exercise that work out the inner thighs – I feel like a lot of the moves I do focus on the outer thighs, to the detriment of my inner ones (which I know are quite weak).
Thanks!
here are some good ones:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/114277-hip-adductor-strengthening-exercises/
The list reminds me of my pre vacation ritual! That shirt is SOO you! Also, I loved having you in NYC last year. I can’t believe it was a year ago! Also, don’t forget your passport!
THAT’S RIGHT! thank you! we’re hoping to (still) get to ny sooooon
How bout ur blender? U can Make your own Margs. I think my favorite has been trip to France, Germany & Switzerland and to the Palmilla in Los Cabos twice.
gah! i forgot about the vitamix!! so glad you reminded me- i would have cried haha
Advice: Don’t forget your passport! My family and I had a Bahamas trip planned for Christmas this past year. We went to Florida first for a few days to get my Grandma, then were to head to Nassau on 12/23. The day before, we realized we didn’t bring our passports – didn’t even cross our minds to pack them. Therefore, we didn’t go. It was a total bummer, but at least we were “stuck” in Florida (as opposed to Michigan) for Christmas. And…it was a package flight and resort deal…got 50% back. BUM-MER!
Have an awesome trip! I love the “Clif” bars.
Enjoy your vacation! I always have a tendency to overpack too, hehe.
My best vacation was when I spent 3 weeks at Cornell University for the summer. It may not have technically been a vacation since studying was involved, but I enjoyed everything else about it!
Second runner-up is when I spent 3 days at the beach resort with just my friends. That was FUN!
Those Clif bars look awesome.
Mine was a recent trip to Portugal! Soo fun:) I can’t wait to read about your Bahamas trip!
Oooh have so much fun on your trip!! I love the Caribbean! Everytime I go I always love asking the locals I meet about the culture. (There is just so much history there! Am I a dork?) I’ve taken so many wonderful trips…since its the freshest on my mind I guess I’ll say the cruise we took this past January. We went to Key West, Grand Cayman and Jamaica. LOVED it.
Can’t wait to hear about your vacay. (And see pictures of course!)
The bars look great! You are so creative in the kitchen!! Amazing
I have the same Tarjay purple flower bathing suit! Love it! They seriously have the BEST bathing suits (and pretty much BEST EVERYTHING!)
My favorite fav vacation was our recent family cruise to the Caribbean
My favorite vacation is a toss up between Cancun with my best friend, exploring Japan with the fam, or hanging out in AZ with the parents.
Oh my – I am desperate, like desperate for a trip…if only I still didn’t have 5 grand racked up on my visa card…and bills to pay, and in the process of finding a new job…:(…oh my Lord – I’m so stressed and I suck. Every time I start to get ahead on the credit card, something else happens…like putting my car in the garage after putting a dent in her…okay – wait, I’m off topic here…
I wanted to say I seen your blog featured briefly in a SELF mag issue (last november? I think) that I read @ the Dr’s office – too cool!!!
you do NOT suck, little lady. hopefully you can get some r & r sometime soon! xooxo
and thank you!! i was so stoked when they asked to include me in the little self blub- it’s one of my favorite mags
So glad you like the jam! My fave vacay was last year in Kauai…a major dream come true for me.
I am lovin’ this shirt, my dog’s name is Lucy and this is too freakin’ cute!!!
other than my 12-day honeymoon to the mediterranean, the best trip i have been on would have to be cabo san lucas. my husband planned a surprise trip for the two of us there last summer. we stayed at the pueblo bonita pacifica holistic spa and retreat. it was awesome! no small fries (a.k.a. kids) allowed and the resort was only 40% full. it wasn’t all inclusive and you had to pay $10 a day to use the gym but the relaxation could not be beat. we were a 20 minute drive from town in a secluded area so if you are looking for the ultimate unwind, this place is it. i loved the food the resort offered in the restaurant (although pricey). everything was very healthy and prepared to perfection. have a great time on your vacay! another 20 and a half days to go and i will be on summer break for 3 months!!! yay!!!
that sounds beautiful- my grandparents go to cabo pretty often and love it
whoo hoo! SO SOON
best vaca was to australia…or mammoth lakes in north central california! freak’n awesome!
Dudes, eh? Just tell him that you don’t have room for your schmexy lingere then … :-p
bahahah. good idea
Hi Gina
I have a few favorite trips….Thailand, Maldives and Mauritius 
This year we’re going somewhere special because it will be our honeymoon 
I’m so excited!! Even though we do not know yet where we’re going…had you had a special honeymoon holiday?
Love, Romy
that sounds wonderful! this is our honeymoon
3 years later, but better late than never
Have fun on your trip GIna!
I would have to say I’ve had some trips to NYC that definitely take the cake and trump any other vacays. There’s just no place like it!
don’t forget your sunglasses!! haha i noticed that pen placement too:). my favorite vacations were to cancun and going to an offshoot of the grand canyon–hiking 6 miles to get to the bottom. have an awesome tropical vacay!
i meant hiking 6 hours not 6 miles lol!
I hope you enjoy the Bahamas. We did
Esp. the waterslides at the Atlantis.
So far my best trip: Greece! It is so beautiful to rent a car and drive around. People are friendly and the majority know English (bonus!) and the food is AWESOME Fresh, local and delicious. I would go back in a heartbeat!
Good luck with the packing!
Every year we go to our house in the south of Portugal. It’s in a quiet little village, the perfect place to relax. And then there’s the beach of course. I honestly cannot wait to go this year. Actually, the last post I made on my blog was talking exactly about that!
looks like a good list:)
my favorite trip was a month backpacking through Thailand with the boyfriend, who took all of his vacation at once (he didn’t even get Christmas off that year!). We had a blast trying crazy new dishes, doing yoga, and walking around ancient ruins…..oh, and Thai massages. Miss it!
I always have to make a packing list, or I forget something! I LOVE that shirt! How cute
And those bars… mmm! I love clif bars, not so much their ingredients…
xo
K
Haha I have a problem with overpacking too. Better to have too much than too little!
My best vaycay was a trip to an all-inclusive resort in Cuba with my friend. We took advantage of the open bar on a few too many nights.
Cute shirt! The best vacation I’ve been on was a month-long trip to Europe with my college friends right after graduation. We went to Prague, Florence, Venice, Rome, Nice, Barelona, and Madrid. So much fun!
I am a HUGE list maker. I really get razzed about it by my family, but it keeps things straight in my head, ya know?? Question about the bar recipe….I don’t like/have protein powder. Can this be omitted or replaced with something else? Thanks, hun!!
I don’t think I can choose my favorite trip. They’re all good in their own way!
great shirt……have fun packing!
Hey Gina-
I am traveling to Asia next week for 10 days, any tips on snacks I can bring? Having a hard time thinking of snacks that aren’t carbs that will be ok in transit!!
Thanks!!
I make lists just like that…it calms my mind so I don’t worry about forgetting things. And I am a notorious over-packer. I seriously once had a suitcase just for shoes. It’s bad.
have fun on your trip!! i don’t know if i can pick one favorite vacation but i think i will have to go with kauai (hawaii) and ireland! i am going to italy for 10 days this summer though so that might just beat them out!
yum to that clif bar recipe! i can’t wait until i’m home and have a real kitchen to cook in so i can make ‘em
I think my favorite vacation was San Francisco 2 years ago with the fiance. We stayed with his sis who was living out there at the time, but actually got a few days to ourselves too since she was on vaca when we got there. We rode bike, went hiking, went to the beach, watched the “Escape to Alcatraz” triathlon, hit up some farmers markets and went to wine country! Love.
I just wanted to let you know that I made these bars last night and they are fan-freakin’-tastic!! Although, mine are a crumbly mess that don’t resemble bars in any way…do you have any tips? You rock!
i’m glad you liked the bars! make sure to let them cool before cutting and refrigerate them- that should help
I made these bars yesterday and they are amazing!!!! I am a lil nervous I am losing health benefits though because I used butter/margarine since I don’t have Earth Balance in the house. Does using butter ruin the recipie, or is it okay to use?!?!?!
Thanks GINA!
Butter is great
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